This article sets out to redress the disregard of a clause in the 1944 Education Act, the lack of interest in its one-off use and the 20 years of unique educational administrative history that resulted. The City of Peterborough Education Committee and the Soke of Peterborough Education Committee were compelled to become one authority charged with providing an inclusive education system, following a history of antipathy towards one another when administrative independence was more important than the provision of educational opportunities. In attempting to amend the omission, the provision of education in the City and Soke of Peterborough is addressed, the process of the establishment of the joint board is considered and the actions of the atypical authority are surveyed. The following questions are asked: Why were the powers to create joint boards for education included in the 1944 Act? What were the reasons for restricting the proposals for possible joint boards and for rejecting two out of the three? What were the particular circumstances that persuaded the Minister of Education to use his powers uniquely in the case of the City and Soke of Peterborough? Did the joint board provide an efficient and all-encompassing education service for children after 1945? (Contains 54 notes.)